Medical EU Drivers License Exchange

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trainconductor
trainconductor Online Community Member Posts: 9 Connected
edited August 2024 in Transport and travel
I am a new member on this forum and I feel this is the only place I might be able to get my question answered. I was issued with a medical drivers license from the Republic of Ireland. I am allowed to driver an automatic car with push/pull hand controls with ball steering. I relocated from the Republic of Ireland in May, 2023 after the license was issued. I sent in my drivers license to the DVLA to exchange the license for a UK drivers license because the Ireland license does not have my current address in the UK. The problem now is the application seems to be stuck at the DVLA. I think it is with the DVLA's adaptation team. I have been disabled all my life with polio and my disability has not changed since the license was issued. My question is, has anyone had the experience of exchanging an EU medical drivers license with UK license? Can they make me redo the driving test or send me to an assessment center to get my adaptation needs reassessed?

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  • Hannah_Alumni
    Hannah_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,866 Championing
    Hello @trainconductor

    I don't have experience with exchanging medical drivers licence but wanted to comment and welcome you to the community! 

    Can I ask, have you spoken to anyone at the DVLA for advice? 
  • trainconductor
    trainconductor Online Community Member Posts: 9 Connected
    Thanks for your welcome message @Hannah_Scope

    I spoke with DVLA Medical unit and I was told it's in a queue since January with the adaptations team. Basically, they said I have to wait till the team are done with my application and DVLA would get across to me in due course. I'm sure they would have had EU medical driver licenses being exchanged before at DVLA and should have given me an idea of the possible outcomes.
  • Hannah_Alumni
    Hannah_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,866 Championing
    @trainconductor I'm sorry that you are having to wait. Hopefully it won't be too long! Like you said, this must have occurred before, I'm sorry they were unable to give you answers when you spoke to them. 
  • trainconductor
    trainconductor Online Community Member Posts: 9 Connected

    Quick update folks. I now have my UK driver's license. Having researched online that some folks were waiting for a very long time to get their medical driver's license, I wrote a letter to DVLA and put my arguments forward. Within about a week, I received the license. I am tempted to get my records using freedom of information to see if the letter had any effect.

  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 10,425 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Oh excellent news @trainconductor I'm so glad you've finally got your UK license! That must feel good?

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